BookLover Sue: NBtM: Interview & Giveaway

Hold Still

by Lisa Regan

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BLURB:

Three men are viciously assaulting Philadelphia's prostitutes, and it's up to veteran detective Jocelyn Rush to stop them. She catches two, but they won't betray their partner, the most dangerous of all, and the attacks continue, striking closer to home. Jocelyn's only real clue comes when a monster from her past resurfaces--now she must race to connect the demons of her past with the villain of her present--before the sadistic attacker sets his sights on her.

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EXCERPT:

“Did you Mirandize him?” Jocelyn asked.

Finch slipped the handcuff key into the locking mechanism. “What do you think?”

“I ain’t gettin’ locked up,” Martin said. “I ain’t gettin’ locked up.” Once again, his voice rose in pitch and volume.

When Finch freed the cuffs from the bedrail and reached for Martin’s other hand, the man shot upward, stumbling forward. He lashed out with one arm, knocking Finch backward, sending him flat on his ass. As he fell, Finch knocked the tray table over, remnants of the used suture kit flying everywhere. Before her brain had even completely registered what was going on, Jocelyn’s hand was reaching for her gun. She was too late. Martin lunged at her and crushed her against his chest before she could unsnap her holster. He wrapped a meaty forearm around her throat. She reached up and pulled down on it with both hands, prepared to struggle until she felt the cool blade of a knife against the flesh of her throat.

"Hold still," he breathed into her ear, the smell of alcohol burning her nostrils.

Where the hell had he gotten a knife?

She had time for one word before the forearm clenched, leaving her only enough room to breathe, nothing more. "Finch.”

Martin hollered again. She couldn't hear him because the adrenaline surging through her momentarily silenced the entire world. He kept squeezing her throat, then releasing slightly and pressing the blade against her skin. She strained her eyes, trying to see Finch in her periphery. He was getting up, slowly. His hand went to his holster, a little too slowly for her taste.

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Let's Learn a Little about Lisa Regan:

What is your writing environment?

I don’t actually have one. I work full-time and have a family so there is little time to stop and write. I do most of my work when I’m waiting in line at the post office; grocery store; in the doctor’s waiting room; or waiting in the car while my husband runs into a store. I have a small notebook that I keep in my purse at all times and whenever I get 5-10 minutes I break it out and write. It’s not ideal but it gets the job done. In a perfect world, I’d love a little home office with lots of light and houseplants with a desk and walls lined with bookshelves. Maybe someday.

Who is your perfect hero and why?

It would definitely be someone who is tough mentally and emotionally. Someone who does the right –even when it’s monumentally hard—and doesn’t expect a lot of fanfare for it. Someone with grit who won’t give up on what they believe in. Someone who treats others with respect and kindness. Someone who can be content with a low-key life because they understand the value of not being caught up in a ton of drama all the time.

What authors have caught your interest lately and why?

I actually just read this YA series by Anna Silver called Otherborn and I was blown away. I don’t normally read YA but I just loved it. Also I discovered Chelsea Cain this year and I binged on everything she ever wrote in about a week. A couple of my favorite authors have books that have come out this year or are coming out soon. Carrie Butler just released a new book in her Mark of Nexus series (paranormal romance/NA); the sequel to one of my favorite thrillers of all-time is coming in May which is Leverage by Nancy S. Thompson and Jennifer Hillier’s The Butcher will also be out later this year. I can’t wait!

What type of book have you always wanted to write?

When I was younger, I wanted to write literary fiction but now I just want to write really good crime thrillers. I’m always trying to get better. I read other thrillers constantly to see how other writers who are far better than me do it.

Top 3 things on your bucket list?

Raise my kid to be safe and successful

See England and Ireland

Write all the books that are in my head

How did you get the idea for this particular novel?

Well it started out with this idea about a person who had witnessed a crime but for whatever reason, later had no memory of it. I wondered how that would affect her life. Then I saw this special on television about prostitutes and how frequently they are victimized. They almost become inured to it and I think in a way society does as well. So then I thought about the idea that criminals could target high-risk victims like prostitutes because the crimes would go unreported. I kind of combined those two ideas and built the plot around them.

What is your favorite scene in your new release?

There is a scene where Jocelyn, the main character, is in an interrogation room with a man who committed a terrible crime against her sister years earlier, finally confronting him openly after all that time. That is probably my favorite scene in the book.

What are you working on now and when can we expect it to be available?

I am now working on a book called Harm that is a bit of a departure from my normal fare. This one is about a teenage boy with telekinetic powers. After he stops a school shooting using only his mind, he and his father go on the run, pursued by these shadowy organizations who want to use his powers—but not necessarily in a good way. I am simultaneously working on the sequel to my first novel, Finding Claire Fletcher.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I like to spend time with my daughter and husband and when I’m not doing that, I read!

What would you consider a perfect date?

A hot air balloon festival and seafood dinner!

What is one interesting fact about you that readers don’t know?

I met my favorite author, Karin Slaughter in 2012 and I was a gushing fangirl idiot. I literally almost passed out at her feet. I have no idea what I said to her. I was just overcome. She probably thought I was a lunatic. I am so happy to have met her but I wish I could have a do-over and try to play it cooler!

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Lisa Regan is a crime fiction author. Her first novel, Finding Claire Fletcher won Best Heroine in the eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook Awards 2013. It was runner-up for Best Novel. It was also a Digital Book Today Best of 2013 ebook selection. In December 2013, Finding Claire Fletcher and her second novel, Aberration were #1 Amazon bestsellers in the Kidnapping and Serial Killers categories, respectively.

Lisa is a member of Sisters In Crime. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Master of Education Degree from Bloomsburg University. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter.

Her third novel, Hold Still is due out late March 2014!

Author Website: www.lisaregan.com

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Lisa-Regan/e/B009YY091I/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lisa-Regan/189735444395923

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lisalregan

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6443334.Lisa_Regan

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Buy Links:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

Kobo

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Giveaway:

Lisa will be awarding an eCopy of Hold Still to five randomly drawn commenters during the tour and a print book of Hold Still to five randomly drawn commenters (US & Canada ONLY). A grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card will be awarded to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning! Follow the tour HERE